Dodge Viper GTS-R

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The Chrysler Viper GTS-R, also known as the Dodge Viper GTS-R or SRT Viper GTS-R, is a racing car from the Gran Turismo series manufactured by Dodge and Chrysler. (The car was known as "Dodge Viper GTS-R" when competing in the US, and under the Chrysler name otherwise). It made its first appearance in Gran Turismo and has been featured in all mainstream versions of the game since.

Overview

The Chrysler Viper GTS-R is a front engined, rear-wheel drive racing car built by American manufacturer Chrysler, in conjunction with French racing team Oreca and Britain's Reynard Motorsport between 1995 and 2005. It was built for several endurance race events in the late nineties, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Nürburgring 24 Hours. It was very successful in these events, winning the following races/series:

24 Hours Nürburgring - 1999, 2001, 2002 (as team Zakspeed)
Rolex 24 at Daytona - 2000 (as Team Oreca)
24 Hours of Le Mans - 1998, 1999, 2000 (GT2/GTS Class, Team Oreca)
12 Hours of Sebring - 2000 (GTS Class, Team Oreca)
Petit Le Mans - 1999 (GTS Class, Team Oreca)
1000km Fuji - 2001 (GTS Class, Team Oreca)
Mil Milhas Brasileiras - 2004
FIA GT Championship - 1997, 1998, 1999 (Team Oreca); 2001, 2002 (Larbre Competition)
American Le Mans Series - 1999, 2000 (Team Oreca)
FFSA GT Championship - 2000, 2001 (DDO); 2003 (Larbre); 2004, 2005 (VBM)
Belgian GT - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009
Italian GT - 2003, 2004

Description

"The unbeatable machine which took the class championship in both the ALMS and the Le Mans 24-hour races."

At approximately the same time as the release of the Viper Coupe version GTS, the car known as the GTS-R race model was also introduced to make a splash in the motor sports car market. Chrysler then went and organized a team to participate in GT endurance races all over the world, including the Le Mans 24 hour race. A partnership was formed with ORECA, the team from France who were extremely well-known for their manufacture and operation of endurance racers.

Though the GTS-R's engine had a maximum output of more than 690 HP, it contained mechanical components which were not very different from normal vehicles marketed to the public, and no different from a publicly sold racer of a private team.

This was because it participated in the GTS class where the modifications allowed was limited. However, the difference in overall ability was very clear, and it was difficult for a private team using a Viper to drive faster than the ORECA. This did not change even when ORECA took over the actual manufacture of publicly sold Viper GTS-R racers, and made it clear that there was an invisible wall between a works team and a private team.

In 2000, the ORECA team aimed for a world GTS championship in the 24 hour ALMS (American Le Mans Series). It rivals in this class included the Chevrolet Corvette C5-R^[1] and the Porsche 911 GT2^[2], but there was little they could do to stand in the way of the powerful Viper. Combined with the performance of the Viper, Team ORECA displayed its true strengths to the world when it became the ALMS 24 hour class champion.

Acquisition

GT1

The Viper GTS-R in non-racing livery can be won from the US vs. Japan event in Gran Turismo. It had a chance of 1/2 (50% of probability) to come as a prize car. A racing modification of the Dodge Viper GTS costing 85,000 Cr. could roughly be interpreted as a Viper GTS-R, available in red with white stripes, or blue with white stripes.

GT2

The Viper GTS-R in racing livery can be won from the Apricot Hill Endurance event in Gran Turismo 2. It had a chance of 1/2 (50% of probability) to come as a prize car. A no-livery variant is available as a racing Modification for the Viper GTS. The Team Oreca version of this car (used in 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans) can be bought in the special section of the Dodge dealerships for 1,000,000 Credits. Other variants of the Viper GTS-R exist in the game, such as the STP Taisan Viper GT, that can be acquired by winning the GT500 Championship, with a chance of 1/4 (25% of probability) to come as a prize car.

GT3

The Viper GTS-R in Team Oreca racing livery can be bought for Cr. 1,000,000 in Gran Turismo 3. As well, it's one of the default S-Class cars available in Arcade Mode, along with the competing V8-powered Corvette C5-R. The car differs in the NTSC-J, PAL, and NTSC versions. In the NTSC-J and PAL versions, the #51 car is used, whereas in the NTSC version, the #91 car is used instead.

GT4

The Viper GTS-R in Team Oreca racing livery can be bought for Cr. 1,000,000 in Gran Turismo 4. The difference in car numbers are still present from GT3.

GT5

As Standard cars, both the #91 and #51 Viper GTS-R cars in '00 Team Oreca racing livery are available in the Used Car Dealership for 2,000,000 Credits each in Gran Turismo 5. The #51 version is a Level 21 car, and the #91 version is a Level 22 car.

GT6

Both the #91 and #51 Viper GTS-R cars in '00 Team Oreca racing livery can be bought in the SRT dealership for 1,450,000 Credits each. Both have simple interiors.